May 31, 2009

I just watched Dylan Speaks: The 1965 Press Conference in San Francisco. It's reviewed here. Not to add to the mounds of Dylan commentary generated over the years, but I was struck by the subtle tics throughout the interview. Fine movements of his mouth and eye blinks were the most noticeable to me, but he also seemed to demonstrate stereotypies (lip licking). I think all his movements could be considered drug-induced stereotypies. Having seen him in other documentaries, I had never noted these before. I read that Dylan was using methamphetamines in the mid-60's which would account for these movements. Below is Part 1/6 of the interview which will get you to the rest. It's also available on netflix.